Punjab Launches ‘Meri Rasoi’ Scheme: Free Food Kits for 40 Lakh Poor Families Ahead of Budget Session

The Punjab government has launched the ‘Meri Rasoi’ scheme to provide nutritional support to nearly 40 lakh economically weaker families across the state. Announcing the initiative after a Cabinet meeting in Chandigarh, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the scheme will offer free food kits to blue card holder families in addition to wheat supplied under existing welfare programmes. The announcement comes just ahead of the Punjab Budget Session scheduled from March 6 to March 16, 2026.

Meri Rasoi Scheme Punjab: What Beneficiaries Will Get

Under the Meri Rasoi scheme Punjab, eligible families will receive food kits for three months at a time.

For the first phase (April, May, June), each family will get,

• 2 kg chana dal
• 2 kg sugar
• 1 kg iodized salt
• 200 grams turmeric powder
• 1 litre mustard oil

These items will be distributed free of cost to all blue card holder families.

Objective of Meri Rasoi Scheme: Focus on Nutrition

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the main objective of the Meri Rasoi scheme is to address nutritional gaps among low-income households, particularly children.

Key aims include,

• Ensuring balanced and nutritious food supply
• Supporting children’s health and growth
• Reducing malnutrition in economically weaker sections
• Strengthening household food security

The government also assured regular quality checks to ensure that beneficiaries receive food items of standard quality.

Who Will Benefit Under the Scheme?

The scheme targets blue card holder families, which represent economically weaker households eligible under state welfare programmes.

Aspect	Details
Beneficiaries	40 lakh families
Eligibility	Blue card holders
Distribution Period	Three months at a time
First Phase	April–June 2026

Government’s Welfare Approach

Bhagwant Mann highlighted that Punjab, known for contributing significantly to India’s food security, must ensure nutrition security for its own citizens.

The government’s broader focus includes,

• Expanding social security schemes
• Strengthening public welfare delivery
• Addressing economic vulnerabilities
• Ensuring no household lacks basic dietary needs

Question

Q. The ‘Meri Rasoi’ scheme in Punjab aims to benefit how many families?

A) 10 lakh
B) 20 lakh
C) 40 lakh
D) 50 lakh